Your partner's parents have invited you for Christmas dinner and you really don't get on with them. Your partner is looking forward to spending some time with them and you realise Christmas with the in-laws is unavoidable. Don't worry we've put together some tips to ensure your Christmas can still be enjoyable.

Get yourself in the right mood
Accept the inevitable. If it is unavoidable, what's the point in stressing out over it for weeks beforehand? Don't let the prospect spoil your entire Christmas, and don't fight with your partner over it – remember, we get to choose our partners and friends, families we have no choice in.

Have your own family Christmas.
You can do this the day before. Here you can all exchange meaningful gifts, eat what you want, invite other friends or family and enjoy yourself. You might feel resentful if the in-law do is the only celebration you have in the year.

When the dreaded day arrives.
Don't go empty-handed, ask what you can bring, your partner will usually have an idea of what they would like and he/she will be pleased you asked. Apart from it being good manners to make a contribution, it is also difficult to be unpleasant to someone who arrives with a well-chosen gift.

Don't wear anything outrageous instead opt for something smart yet comfortable.

Try not to consume too much alcohol, you may end up too relaxed, say things you don't want to and forget all this wonderful advice.

Table talk
Leave off sex, religion, race and politics. Christmas is not the day to discuss any of these things. If someone tries to draw you into a discussion on any of these topics, don't take the bait. Simply change the topic or smile nicely and say you think it's better if you agree to disagree. You're not going to change anyone's opinion on anything over Christmas dinner.

Fly below the radar. If anyone says anything unpleasant to you, just let it go. People cannot antagonise you if you won't let yourself be antagonised. Remember this day will be important to your partner and he/she will admire your self-control.

Instead find something to compliment. Say something nice about the food, mention the new curtains, the new plant in the garden, the decorations, whatever. Everyone likes to be complimented, but be sincere – people can smell falseness a mile away.

Whatever you do, don't criticise the food – or anything. This is the quickest way to get tempers running high. Even if you're vegetarian and they're doing a turkey, say nothing. You don't have to eat anything you don't want to, but don't spoil it for everyone else.

After the meal
Offer to do the washing up. If you help clean up the inevitable mess after a Christmas lunch, your shares in the family will definitely go up. And remember, the kitchen is also a handy place to escape to if the conversation becomes insufferable.

Remember you're doing it for your partner. Being as friendly as you can will go a long way to making your partner happy. If the children are making a noise, or your in-laws are smokers, or vegans or whatever – remember it is just for three or four hours. One can survive anything for a short time. And the quickest way to pick a fight with anyone is to criticise their family. Leave that to them.

When you get home
Don't offload all the misery of the day onto your partner, let him/her have the whole day to remember as a pleasant one. you can always leave anything you didn't like for another more appropriate time.

Give yourself a good pat on the back for getting through dinner with the in-laws.

Christmas around the world:
Fun facts about Christmas